A Critical Analysis of the Overall Social Impact of the UNFCCC-driven Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) on a Local, National & Global Level
Date Issued
2011
Date
2011
Author(s)
Louw, Andr?
Abstract
Ever since the introduction of the Kyoto Protocol (KP) inspired Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in 2001, focus has primarily been on the ecological and economic impact of these initiatives. Reduction of green house gas (GHG) emissions through the earning of carbon credits, and the ultimate aim of reversing climate change has thus collectively been at the forefront of related research and studies, arguably to the detriment of the ‘flexibility’ mechanism’s other chief objective, which is to promote and generate sustainable development (SD) in the developing world. The latter objective contains an inherent social element and the aim of this paper is thus to explore in greater detail the overriding social impact that such projects have managed to achieve on a local, national and global level, and to elucidate the facets in which this contribution has been lacking or inadequate. For this purpose, an extensive literature review on the social impact of numerous CDM projects has been conducted in order to earmark certain limitations, problem areas and even negative impact areas that such ventures, and the mechanism as whole, currently face. In addition, a detailed analysis of the social impact of four case studies pertaining to four different projects in four countries (namely Bangladesh, South Africa, China and India), has been conducted with the purpose of checking the originally envisaged social benefits of each project [as contained in the Project Design Document (PDD) required for official CDM registration] against the actual subsequent social results that have been achieved in practice. The evaluation process has been further aided by performing an in-depth survey of participants (partaking in disparate project types, located in different regions around the globe) that are directly involved in the approval, registration, implementation and monitoring of said undertakings, thereby allowing for the collection of first-hand accounts and experiences of the CDM’s actual social effect on local communities within in host nations, as well as the host nations themselves. The findings of these surveys have confirmed misgivings regarding areas of concern that previous literature on the subject has aired, and has also served to encourage further discussion on ways in which the mechanism might be improved upon during a prospective second commitment period that is to commence after 2012.
In conclusion, amendments should be made to the mechanism if it is to better serve local, national and global communities in the future. These chiefly involve a more equitable global distribution of projects, shifting the competitive burden that currently pervades the mechanism from developing nations to developed nations, offsetting SD underperformance by allowing for additional, non-GHG reduction-based social projects, and replicating the success that the mechanism has achieved on a local basis, on both a national and a global level.
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Subjects
Climate Change
Sustainable Development
Developing Nations
SDGs
Type
thesis
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